Real Stories: Tick and Mosquito Bites

About vector-borne diseases

Almost everyone has been bitten by a mosquito or tick. Mosquitoes and ticks that spread germs (pathogens) are called vectors. A person who gets bitten by a vector and gets sick could have a vector-borne disease. Some vector-borne diseases cause mild symptoms, but others can become serious, life-threatening illnesses.

Cases of vector-borne diseases have increased significantly since 2004, with more than 1 million cases reported between 2001 and 2023 in the United States.

Risk for people with weakened immune systems

• B cell-depleting therapy helped Steve enjoy his favorite pastimes while living with rheumatoid arthritis.
• The treatment also weakened his immune system and increased his risk of serious illness from viruses spread through mosquito and tick bites.
• Sadly, Steve passed away shortly after being diagnosed with severe West Nile virus disease. His family shares his story and offers practical tips for protecting people with weakened immune systems.

Dengue: fever from a mosquito bite

• It's hard to know what's worse: waking up with a fever of 104^°, an itchy rash, body aches, and severe headaches or waiting to learn the cause of the illness.
• A mother and her daughter are later diagnosed with dengue, an illness spread through mosquito bites.
• They share their journey from illness to recovery, symptoms, and warning signs to know to identify severe dengue, and how people can protect themselves from mosquito bites and the diseases they can spread.

Powassan: a tickborne disease on the rise

• With the RV packed and the kids and dogs in tow, Carrie and her family set out for a summer adventure in Minnesota.
• During her trip, she found and removed several ticks from her body and thought little of it—until days later when she was hospitalized with double vision, severe headaches, and difficulty walking.
• Carrie was diagnosed with severe Powassan virus disease, an uncommon but serious tickborne disease. She shares her story and tips for preventing tick bites while enjoying the outdoors.

Alpha-gal syndrome: When a tick bite causes a red meat allergy

• A Georgia man woke up in the middle of the night feeling dizzy and lightheaded. His body was soon covered in hives.
• He spent months searching for answers to his frequent and puzzling symptoms, eventually diagnosed as alpha-gal syndrome.

West Nile virus: it starts with a mosquito bite

• A 39-year-old Georgia man looked forward to building a shed in his backyard and completing a longstanding outdoor home improvement project.
• A mosquito bite changed his life forever.

Preventing Lyme disease in children

• A Virginia mom was surprised when her daughter was bitten by a tick while playing on their backyard playset. After the tick was removed, the mom spoke to her child's doctor about steps to help prevent Lyme disease.
• A CDC pediatrician joins this story to share steps people can take to help prevent tick bites and Lyme disease.